AgClips
Recent AgClips
EU approves limits on antibiotics use in farm animals
Meat & Poultry | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in Food NewsThe European Parliament approved limits on the use of antibiotics in farm animals produced for food. The limits are aimed at keeping drug-resistant bacteria out of food. The legislation was adopted with 583 votes to 16 and 20 abstentions.The new regulations, which go into force in 2022, limit the use of antimicrobials as a preventive measure — in the absence of clinical signs of infection — to single animals. A veterinarian must approve and justify the use of antibiotics in cases where there is a high risk of infection.
The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure
US Water Alliance | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in Rural NewsBy closing the annual investment gap in water infrastructure, the national economy would stand to gain over $220 billion in annual economic activity and approximately 1.3 million jobs per year. The aggregate economic impact is comprised of the direct impact on the water infrastructure sector, as well as indirect and induced impacts that are generated by successive rounds of spending on goods and services in other sectors. By meeting the gap, the US economy stands to gain a total of $2.22 trillion in additional economic activity over the next 10 years.
Seven Big Ideas for the Sustainable Management of Water
US Water Alliance | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in NewsSeven Big Ideas for the Sustainable Management of Water. The insights from the Listening Sessions have been synthesized into seven big ideas for the sustainable management of water in the United States: 1. Advance regional collaboration on water management 2. Accelerate agriculture-utility partnerships to improve water quality 3. Sustain adequate funding for water infrastructure 4. Blend public and private expertise and investment to address water infrastructure needs 5. Redefine affordability for the 21st century 6. Reduce lead risks, and embrace the mission of protecting public health 7.
Single-axis wind turbine generates energy for apartment blocks
Spring Wise | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in Energy NewsSustainability has taken a new turn with O-Wind, an omnidirectional, single-axis wind turbine catered to serve apartment buildings facing chaotic winds in urban environments. Patent pending, the O-Wind takes advantage of horizontal and vertical winds without requiring steering. It would enable apartment block residents to sustainably generate electricity. Due to its unique design, the turbine makes use of wind approaching from all directions in three dimensions. This is not the case for other wind turbines available at present.
From poop to power: Missoula's waste now becomes electricity generator
The Missoulian | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in Energy NewsThe $1.2 million biogas machine is basically an internal combustion engine that’s similar to a diesel but can burn both methane and natural gas. It’s not using natural gas just yet, but turns methane into electricity. That’s generating about $8,000 worth of electricity at the plant each month, which is about 25 percent of the plant’s monthly electric bill.“This was an idea that staff had made, and is one of the actions — if you go back to the city’s climate change and energy conservation plan — that was in the plan,” said Bryan von Lossberg, president of the Missoula City Council.
In the Midwest, injured agriculture workers are telling their stories to help others avoid the same fate.
US News | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in Agriculture NewsIt's been eight years since Jason Fevold almost died while working on a farm. Fevold had been spending long hours in October 2010 pumping liquid manure out of the pit in a swine building and spreading it onto a nearby field. It was dangerous work that included the risk of exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas, but Fevold was confident and committed: He'd been working on farms since doing chores for his grandparents as a kid. During one of the trips back to the hog confinement building, Jason went inside to use the restroom, but didn't come back out.
Hundreds of fish die along Florida's Space Coast beaches
Fox News | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in Rural NewsHundreds of fish have washed ashore along Florida's Space Coast beaches, a week after the first signs of a toxic algae outbreak were reported. The dead fish, mostly mullet, were found this week from Melbourne Beach to Satellite Beach on the state's east coast.Despite the fish kills, water samples this week along the Space Coast showed a decrease in the algae known as red tide.The red tide began last October off southwest Florida after Hurricane Irma swept up the state. It has killed massive numbers of fish, along with scores of sea turtles and the state's beloved manatees.
GM proposes nationwide zero-emissions vehicle sales mandate
SF Gate | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in Energy NewsGeneral Motors says it will ask the federal government for one national gas mileage standard, including a requirement that a percentage of auto companies' sales be zero-emissions vehicles. Mark Reuss, GM's executive vice president of product development, said the company will propose that a certain percentage of nationwide sales be made up of vehicles that run on electricity or hydrogen fuel cells."A national zero emissions program will drive the scale and infrastructure investments needed to allow the U.S. to lead the way to a zero emissions future," Reuss said.
Why the Fear of Immigrants Is Un-American
Time | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in Rural News“I’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don’t know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it,” said Ronald Reagan. “But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity.
Scientists, high school students find new pathogens hiding in Indiana ticks
Purdue | Posted onNovember 1, 2018 in Rural NewsAlmost anyone spending time outdoors knows about the link between ticks and Lyme disease. But there may be far more lurking in tick bites than previously thought – a cocktail of bacteria and viruses that may uniquely affect each bite victim and inhibit the remedies meant to cure tick-borne diseases. “Climate change is expanding tick ranges, and we’re spending more time in tick habitats all the time,” said Catherine Hill, a Purdue professor of entomology and vector biology.